NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 346, 21 February 1902, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night

Speaking at Dargaville last evening Sir Joseph Ward, referring to the question of the amount paid for interest and sinking fund out of the consolidated fund, as shown in the Year hook, said he did so in consequence of criticisms which had appeared in the Wellington Post and Christchurch Press, relative to some remarks of his concerning this matter when speaking at Greymouth. Both papers had fallen into a mistake, probably due to th'.‘ word “ taxation ” being telegraphed instead of “ interest." Reference to the record tvould show that it was the interest table he was dealing with when he stated that from 1895 to 1901 the position was greatly in our favor. He took the figures from 1896 to 1901. In those years the rate of interest had gone down from £2 8s 2d per head to £2 5s 6d. This was due to the conversion of loans upon which higher rates of interest had previously been paid, and the lower rates for which they had been specially convert-red to get advantage of.

The Premier lias wired to Mr Jackson Palmer that his constituents being equally divided on the subject of his going to South Africa with the Nintii Contingent, he (the Premier) does not see his way to confirm the appointment of Mr Palmer to a captaincy. WELLINGTON, last night.

The Mayor formally welcomed the visitors who have come over for the swimming championships this .morning, and expressed a hope that despite the reputation they had achieved . they would find enough opposition to push them hard.

Further police changes are : Sub-In-spector Wilson, of Wellington, promoted to be Inspector at Greymouth ; Inspector McDonnell, transferred to Napier when Inspector O’Brien takes charge at Dunedin; Suit-Inspector O’Donovan succeeds Inspector Wilson, Wellington Sub-Inspector Kiely (Dunedin) to Inspector at Wanganui; Sergeant Dwyer (Wanganui) to have, a step in rank, and to be transferred to Dunedin.

The Victoria College Council appointed last night a Building Committee to take the necessary steps to prepare designs for building on the Salamanca road site and report at the next meeting. A resolution was passed thanking the Nelson College Governors for the interest they had shown in the College. Mr Kinsella, Dairy Commissioner, has issued a circular to butter manufacturers, stating that, in consequence of the fraudulent trade practices carried on in Australia in passing New Zealand butter as Australian, the Department lias decided to revise the export regulations under the Dairy Industry Act. Graders and inspectors will be empowered to prevent the expert of creamery butter branded other' than with an approved registered impress brand, impressed on each end of tlie boxes. The impressing of the boxends on the inside (without ink) is also proposed. Power will he given to the Dairy Commissioner to immediately cancel all the small regulation stencils which are now being used as assistants to fraudulent practices.

I-I.M.S. Ringarooma has sailed for Lyttelton. The breach of promise case, Nellie Maud Banks v., F. B. Wilkins, was settled out of' Court, defendant consenting to judgment for £2OO- and costs. , The Justice Department has replied t-. Mr Jellicoe’s request for a general enquiry into the administration of the Wellington prisons, to the effect that when the present Point Halswell En ? quiry Commission reports the Minister will be in a better position to judge whether a general enquiry is necessary or advisable.

WANGANUI, last night. The body of an elderly man was found this morning in the river, close to the cattle wharf. There is no clue so far as to his identity. He had evidently, been in the water over nine daySi NELSON, last night. A deputation waited on the Mayor to-day with reference to the question of local co-operation in connection with the Seddon testimonial. Hie Mayor agreed to call a public neeting next Monday to consider the steps to be taken. • ... DUNEDIN, last night. ) The University Senate to-day decided on Professor Shand’s motion to appoint a select committee to consider suggestions for the amendment of the sututes relating to the B.Sc. in mining and metallurgical engineering, n accordance with the suggestions o. the teaching staff of the Otago Schoo. o f Mines. On the motion of Sir K Stout, the Law Committee were directed to consider whether candidate. foe final examination in L.L-tt- ulfnot be allowed to take subjects fo their examinations in two sections. L was explained that this was the prao tice in Edinburgh and Glasgow. 11 Chancellor stated- oe had * e( ?ei ve( * . cable intimation that Mr Matthew A Hunter B Sc., Auckland, had won tie 1851 sc’ience scholarship for chemistr The scholarship is £l5O a year, able for two years, with a possible 6. tension to three years. HOKITIKA, last night . A large number of entries are bung for the Agricultural Shot, to i,. held here nest Wednesday. • / A public meeting has been cozened for to-morrow evening to co-onate with the movement for a colonid 1 c Mentation to the Premier in ccoyn tion of his Imperialistic work. INVERCARGILL, last light. Mr Cruicksliank, S.M., this nnrnmg 1 dismissed a charge of perjury -gainst Sergeant Bowden, laid by the lcensee o. the Criterion ' Hotel, who ms recently convicted for refusing to admit ■the police without unnecessary May■ He remarked on the unsatisfatory • mill, re of the evidence of three witnesses for the prosecution, and Scd no ' case had been made out for commttal.